Job Title: Microsoft SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA)

Location: Remote

Department: IT / Technology

Reports To: Director of DevOps

Position Overview:

We are looking for an experienced and highly skilled Microsoft SQL Server Database Administrator (DBA) to join our IT team. The primary focus of this role will be on the ongoing maintenance, troubleshooting, and advanced configuration of our Microsoft SQL Server environments, including high-availability features such as SQL Server Clusters and Always On Availability Groups. You will be responsible for ensuring the reliability, performance, and security of our SQL Server database infrastructure to support business-critical applications and operations.

Key Responsibilities:

• SQL Server Database Maintenance: Ensure the smooth operation of all SQL Server instances by performing regular maintenance tasks such as database optimization, index rebuilding, statistics updates, and integrity checks.

• High Availability & Disaster Recovery: Administer and maintain SQL Server high-availability solutions, including Always On Availability Groups, SQL Server Clusters, and database mirroring, to ensure maximum uptime and reliability.

• Troubleshooting & Incident Resolution: Provide expert-level troubleshooting and support for complex database issues. This includes identifying and resolving performance bottlenecks, SQL Server crashes, transaction log issues, and other critical failures in production environments.

• Backup & Recovery Management: Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive backup strategies for mission-critical SQL Server databases. Ensure robust disaster recovery procedures are in place, including point-in-time recovery, and monitor backup success/failures.

• Advanced Configuration & Optimization: Configure and fine-tune advanced SQL Server features and options, such as database replication, clustering, partitioning, and data compression, to optimize performance, scalability, and availability.

• Performance Monitoring & Tuning: Continuously monitor SQL Server performance using performance tools and native diagnostics to proactively identify and resolve performance issues.

• Database Security & Compliance: Ensure that SQL Server databases are configured with the highest security standards. This includes managing user permissions, enforcing encryption policies, and ensuring compliance with data protection and security regulations.

• Automation & Scripting: Create and maintain automation scripts to streamline repetitive tasks such as database backups, index optimization, and alerting for system performance issues. Leverage PowerShell and T-SQL for administrative automation.

• Capacity Planning & Scalability: Evaluate and plan for future database capacity needs, including disk space, memory, and CPU, and proactively scale the environment as needed to support growing data volumes and business requirements.

• Collaboration & Documentation: Work closely with application development teams, network engineers, and other stakeholders to ensure SQL Server databases are aligned with business needs. Maintain clear, comprehensive documentation for all configurations, maintenance procedures, and troubleshooting steps.

Required Qualifications:

• Experience: 5+ years of experience as a SQL Server Database Administrator, with significant expertise in high-availability solutions and troubleshooting.

• Technical Skills:

o Extensive experience with Microsoft SQL Server, including installation, configuration, and maintenance (SQL Server 2012 or later).

o Hands-on experience with SQL Server Clustering, Always On Availability Groups, database mirroring, and replication.

o Advanced knowledge of T-SQL, including writing complex queries, stored procedures, triggers, and performance tuning queries.

o Experience with SQL Server monitoring and performance tools (SQL Profiler, DMVs, Extended Events, etc.).

o Strong understanding of SQL Server backup strategies, point-in-time recovery, and disaster recovery planning.

o Familiarity with PowerShell scripting for automation and routine tasks.

• Problem Solving: Expertise in troubleshooting and resolving complex database issues related to performance, availability, and data integrity in a production environment.

• Communication Skills: Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to explain technical database issues to non-technical stakeholders.

• Education: A bachelor’s degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field (or equivalent work experience).

Preferred Qualifications:

• SQL Server certifications (e.g., Microsoft Certified: Azure Database Administrator Associate, Microsoft Certified: SQL Server Database Administrator).

• Experience with SQL Server performance tuning and query optimization.

• Experience in designing and implementing disaster recovery solutions, including the use of SQL Server Failover Clustering and Availability Groups in complex environments.

• Experience with SQL Server Integration Services (SSIS), SQL Server Reporting Services (SSRS), and SQL Server Analysis Services (SSAS) is a plus.

• Familiarity with cloud-based SQL Server solutions (e.g., Azure SQL Database, Amazon RDS for SQL Server) is a plus.

Working hours

Willing to work EST time zone hours and occasional after-hours/weekend work.